Heat Index: Theater is a big deal this weekend with three new shows

From left, Audrey Spotts, Rachel Howard, Farah Benyacoubat, Tripp Hankins, during rehearsal for Fiddler On The Roof Feb. 21, 2018 at the Yucca Theater. James Durbin/Reporter-Telegram

From left, Audrey Spotts, Rachel Howard, Farah Benyacoubat, Tripp Hankins, during rehearsal for Fiddler On The Roof Feb. 21, 2018 at the Yucca Theater. James Durbin/Reporter-Telegram

Photo: James Durbin

Photo: James Durbin

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From left, Audrey Spotts, Rachel Howard, Farah Benyacoubat, Tripp Hankins, during rehearsal for Fiddler On The Roof Feb. 21, 2018 at the Yucca Theater. James Durbin/Reporter-Telegram

From left, Audrey Spotts, Rachel Howard, Farah Benyacoubat, Tripp Hankins, during rehearsal for Fiddler On The Roof Feb. 21, 2018 at the Yucca Theater. James Durbin/Reporter-Telegram

Photo: James Durbin

Heat Index: Theater is a big deal this weekend with three new shows

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This weekend’s confluence of theater openings isn’t the first, but definitely a rarity. Three shows open across the Permian Basin giving fans of the stage a busy opening weekend. Along with the new show openings, another closes and a classic will appear on the big screen.

National Theatre Live: “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”

Head to the movies for this piece of live theater. Sienna Miller and Jack O’Connell take on the iconic roles of Maggie and Brick in this Tennessee Williams revival of his Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Tensions are high between the married couple as the Mississippi family gathers to celebrate Big Daddy’s birthday. The cast includes actors Colm Meaney and Brian Gleeson.

Odessa College’s Theatre Performance Program kicks off the weekend of local theater with a three-day run of this classic story based on Helen Keller’s autobiography. Due to an illness as a baby, Keller was rendered blind, deaf and then mute. The play relates the story of her relationship with her governess and teacher, Anne Sullivan.

7:30 p.m. today through Saturday at 201 W. University Blvd., Odessa. $7 adults, $5 seniors and military, free for students with ID. odessa.edu.

“Fiddler on the Roof” by Trinity School

If a cat on a tin roof isn’t enough, how about a fiddler? Trinity School’s spring musical is the popular “Fiddler on the Roof.” Also, a three-day run, the theater staple centers on Tevye and his five daughters, three of whom have found potential husbands who challenge his ideas on tradition.

The Mavericks finish off the Verdeen family trilogy with this “chicken-fried” comedy set in the fictional town of Sweetgum, Texas. Plans are made for one last reunion at the closing of Sweetgum High School. With the Verdeen cousins involved with the planning, expect a disaster involving a catfight with a televangelist and a earthquake caused by fracturing.

There are two chances left to catch the big hit musical set to the classic pop of ABBA. While Donna oversees her crumbling hotel on the waters of Greece, her daughter, Sophie, has invited three guests to her wedding, all of whom could be her father. Shenanigans follow in this feel-good musical with lavish dance numbers and comic romps by a strong cast.